Alex Ward and Fiona Sperry are departing Criterion Games, the racing-oriented
developer (Burnout series, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need
for Speed: Most Wanted) they helped cofound,
reports Polygon, where they have a statement about the change from
Electronic Arts. "Alex Ward and Fiona Sperry have decided to leave EA," an EA
spokesperson told them. "We appreciate their many contributions through the
years and wish them well in their future endeavours." The EA statement also
mentions that Criterion continues to develop a new IP for next-generation
consoles, and the Criterion Games
website has a new year message saying they're "cooking up something new."
Following the original report,
Alex Ward
tweeted about plans for a new company, saying: "Just decided to start afresh
and form a new games company with @FionaSperry #freshstart."

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 15:44:3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom

The other way of saying that is - pass the risk / burden of responsibility onto someone else. It's hardly a bad deal, especially if your own financial situation doesn't change dramatically. Job security is not exactly common in the development industry.

Also here's hoping that this means a new game more in line with Burnout 2/3 and less like Burnout Paradise.

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:"Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with @FionaSperry #freshstart."

I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Not that it's bad for him?

1) Create studio to do what you want2) Sell studio to EA for huge sum of money3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom4) Leave EA with piles of cash under your arms5) Repeat

Your list is forgetting a few minor, very important items.

1) Create studio to do what you want2) Sell studio to EA for huge sum of money3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom4) Complain endlessly about publisher pressure and lack of freedom5) Swear up and down you'll never, ever work for a publisher again6) Leave EA with cash and start over7) Sell company to EA in a few years, and begin complaining again

It's sometimes referred to as the Peter Molyeneueueueuuuxuxuxxx syndrome.

Oh. I had no clue he'd complained. I never fully understand why devs complain when they lose freedom after selling out. You literally sold your ownership. Someone didn't give you that money for free, they gave it for the ability to make sure you kept earning.

It's like the guy that gets married and has a kid then complains that he can't go to the bar every night anymore.

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Gamers have this crazy notion that all game devs want to do is make the games they want to make without influences from a publisher. They have wives, kids, a mortgage, etc. like everyone else. I've known lots of software developers who spin up companies, make a successful product, sell the company, rinse/repeat. There's nothing wrong with that.

Nothing wrong with that at all. Criterion wasn't a one hit wonder though. They had been around awhile with many successful games and probably didn't need to sell out to EA in 2004. But I don't know what their financial situation was like in 2004, so who knows. Maybe they were in trouble and selling for $40 mil pounds was their best option.

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:"Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with @FionaSperry #freshstart."

I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Not that it's bad for him?

1) Create studio to do what you want2) Sell studio to EA for huge sum of money3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom4) Leave EA with piles of cash under your arms5) Repeat

Your list is forgetting a few minor, very important items.

1) Create studio to do what you want2) Sell studio to EA for huge sum of money3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom4) Complain endlessly about publisher pressure and lack of freedom5) Swear up and down you'll never, ever work for a publisher again6) Leave EA with cash and start over7) Sell company to EA in a few years, and begin complaining again

It's sometimes referred to as the Peter Molyeneueueueuuuxuxuxxx syndrome.

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:"Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with @FionaSperry #freshstart."

I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Not that it's bad for him?

1) Create studio to do what you want2) Sell studio to EA for huge sum of money3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom4) Leave EA with piles of cash under your arms5) Repeat

Additionally, after that many years with the same studio, maybe it's best for them to start fresh, get some new blood in to the system, and work on something new. Can't say as to blame them, really.

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Gamers have this crazy notion that all game devs want to do is make the games they want to make without influences from a publisher. They have wives, kids, a mortgage, etc. like everyone else. I've known lots of software developers who spin up companies, make a successful product, sell the company, rinse/repeat. There's nothing wrong with that.

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:"Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with @FionaSperry #freshstart."

I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Not that it's bad for him?

1) Create studio to do what you want2) Sell studio to EA for huge sum of money3) Stay with EA for a few years, making the exact same game you used to make, only under a different title and with a bit less freedom4) Leave EA with piles of cash under your arms5) Repeat

Creston wrote on Jan 3, 2014, 14:07:"Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with @FionaSperry #freshstart."

I'd lay even odds that five years from now he sells his company to EA again, because game devs never learn.

Goodbye, Burnout...

I think this is a good development (see what I did there?). These guys can make the game they want without interference from The Suits. EA would force them to make the game full price but with half the cars and tracks available only via microtransaction.

I feel that the SimCity debacle is playing a huge part in these talented people leaving to strike out on their own (both Criterion and Popcap).

"The worst of it all is i used to ENJOY getting excited for big titles like this, but these publishers just keep ruining my love for this wonderful hobby with their endless fuckery." - Sempai